Joey Essex won't date Stephanie Pratt again

Joey Essex is "back on the market" after his split from Stephanie Pratt

Joey Essex won't get back together with Stephanie Pratt.

The 'Educating Joey Essex' star split from the 'Made in Chelsea' beauty earlier this month after they struck up a romance while they were both appearing on 'Celebs Go Dating' over the summer but he's adamant they won't reunite and he's now looking forward to getting back out there and meeting new potential lovers.

Speaking on 'Lorraine' on Tuesday (01.11.16), he said: "That ship has sort of sailed...[between him and Stephanie]. I'm back on the market. Do I have an ideal girl? Yeah. Nice pretty girls. Just cute. I'm just letting everyone know that I'm single!"

However, the 26-year-old hunk has admitted he finds it extremely hard to remain in a relationship because he's so busy with work that he's never around for alone time.

He explained: "Being in this industry, you're constantly working... early mornings, late nights, so yeah, it is hard to have a relationship."

Joey's split with Stephanie came as a huge shock to fans as just weeks ago the 30-year-old star was declaring her love for him, even though she couldn't understand him.

She said at the time: "He's everything I don't want in a man.

"He's vain, and he's skinnier than me. I can't even understand him. I need a dictionary.

"The only thing I'm really thinking is I can see being a best friend that I fall in love with."

The now-former couple were even hoping to spend Christmas together in Stephanie's native Los Angeles but it seems their busy schedules drove a wedge between them.

A source said: "Joey wasn't up for spending every minute in Chelsea with Stephanie.

"He genuinely fell for her and even though they were an unlikely couple, he hoped it could turn into something more serious. But he realised it was never going to work with him spending so much time away from home."